The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday came down heavily on nationalised banks for failing to be more competitive against the private sector ones despite enjoying different government facilities.

“You are losing in the competition---you are lagging behind although you have got all the government facilities,” the Adviser said addressing the inaugural session of the Zonal Head’s Conference of the Agrani Bank Ltd at a city hotel.

Agrani Bank Board of Directors Chairman Siddiqur Rahman Chowdhury presided over the inaugural session where Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed and Finance Secretary Dr Mohammad Tareq were special guests.

The Adviser expressed his dissatisfaction over the slow rate of depository numbers with the Agrani Bank Ltd.

Dr Aziz also took a swipe at the private banks for their higher interest rates to the borrowers. “You are giving a lower interest rates to the depositors but taking pretty higher interest rates from the borrowers,” he said.

The Adviser stressed development of professional competence of NCB officials to mark a major role in the banking sector of the country.

Asking for making banking a service oriented sector Dr Aziz said, “You have to keep in mind that your major task is to give service to the customers.”

He asked the bankers not to harass the bank clients for transacting over Tk 7 lakh-the ceiling for free transaction without question. “Bangladesh Bank asked you to send the report to them; you must not harass the customer saying that what you (customer) will do with this money or from where you got the money. This is not your job,” the Adviser said.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed asked the Agrani Bank officials to give more attention to the big loan defaulters rather than giving attention to the certificate cases, mainly against the poor farmers.

“From more than 25,000 certificate cases you will get only Tk 25 crore, but from a few cases pending with the Aurtho Rin Adalat you can get huge amount of defaulted money. You have to take the bull by the horns, not by the tail,” he said.

But, he said, the bank officials must not forget to pursue the certificate cases. “Be cautious that your move must not create harassment for the poor farmers,” said the banking- sector boss.

Dr Salehuddin alleged that the classified loan of Agrani Bank is now over 26 per cent and asked the bank officials to put down this rate as soon as possible.